A far better marker than Ground Hog Day, spring training is when we really know winter is coming to an end. Now that the games have started, Big Shots looks back over the past few weeks of preparations, practice, and playfulness as hope for a great season grips fans of all 30 teams. Baseball is back. ( 34 photos total)

The Red Sox kicked off the Grapefruit League season with a game at City of Palms Park in Fort Meyers, Fla. against Boston College, allowing BC student manager David Hasebroock a chance for some souvenirs. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

Boston Red Sox David Ortiz, left, sits with his 4-year-old son D'Angelo as teammate Julio Lugo watches his 3-year-old son Julio Alejandro in the dugout in Ft. Myers, Fla. February 22. (REUTERS/Hans Deryk) #

What kind of crap is this?!?! A boston paper and there are six yankee pics and only 4 Boston! Get the yankees out of Boston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by David LeDucFebruary 26, 09 02:54 PM

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I often wonder if the great city of New York is anything like my own fantastic hometown of Boston in that the start of the 8 MONTH baseball season means the end of every other sporting season. Here we are in Boston hosting the NHL's overall first place Bruins with only about 20 games left, and they already.... ALREADY have no headline on Boston.com. Goodbye late season and playoff hockey, its PRE SEASON baseball time. Argh....

Posted by BruinsfanFebruary 26, 09 03:24 PM

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Saturation.

You're doing it wrong

Posted by AnonymousFebruary 27, 09 12:49 PM

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Uh, where are the Phils?

Posted by AnonymousFebruary 27, 09 06:56 PM

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WHy is everyone so fixated on Boston or New York. Its baseball you losers. If this does get you fired up to go coach you are T Ballers in little league nothing will.

Thanks for the photos - even the eye exam - its what its all about

Posted by James TwiggsFebruary 28, 09 07:07 AM

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Definitely a great turn out at the O's game, though the crowd wasn't that into it. I've missed baseball!

Posted by TimFebruary 28, 09 09:17 PM

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I think it's safe to say that baseball players have the easiest training sessions of any professional sport.